LOVE

Love is one thing the majority of us have misplaced its place and values for lust and selfish desires.

The larger percentage of us think and believe that love is all about what to get and not what to give, and it worsened on the part of most Ladies who think and believe that they can win the love of any Man with their Female Organs; after-all, all Men love sex. Yes, all Men might love sex, but not all Men can be bought with sex except the foolish ones who have no sense of honour for themselves and their families.

A Man who is honourable in his reasoning needs no one to tell him or teach him what to do to honour his Wife and children even in the absentia just as Apostle Paul admonished us in 2 Corinthians 13:7 saying; “You should do what is honourable”.

Love is a beautiful thing. But trust me when I say that with love comes pain. Any love that doesn’t cause you pain, discomfort and a higher price to pay to keep the love going is a huge deception. In John 5:19-23, Jesus Christ said; “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so, the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honour the Son just as they honour the Father. He who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent Him”.

The question now Is, how can you kill the same person you claimed to love?

The answer to this question is in John 5:21 where Jesus Christ said; “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so, the Son gives life to whom He will.” Whatever discomfort or pains we experience in love is to destroy some things in us to birth some other things that are beneficial to our lives and destinies in us; and this Jesus Christ proved again in John 12:24-25 saying; “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls Into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

Now, loving someone doesn’t mean you must remain in a bad relationship, friendship or marriage. No! You can love someone from afar. It’s not a sin, it is called distance love. Yes, you love the person but you just have to distance yourself from the person for the same of your mental stability. Not all love can be or must be closer. The most important thing is, don’t hate anyone. Whoever hates his or her fellow human being is a killer and this Apostle John made clear in 1 John 4:20-21 saying; “If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

If you are not a liar and if you don’t want to be a killer then putting the words of Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 to work in your life shouldn’t be a thing of burden to you but a delight; saying, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, and I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now, we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

I love the simplicity to which other translations of the bible put it saying; “If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, isn’t always “me first,” doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t reveal when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.

Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over someday; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be cancelled. When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good. We don’t yet see things. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, and love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.”

Love is a deep and powerful emotion characterized by a strong feeling of affection, care, and compassion towards someone or something. It can refer to romantic or familial love as well as a love for friends, animals, nature, or anything that brings joy and happiness. Love is a fundamental aspect of human relationships and plays a central role in forming connections, fostering empathy and understanding, and bringing meaning and purpose to life.

Love can be defined in many ways, as it encompasses a wide range of emotions, experiences, and attitudes towards oneself and others. Generally, love involves deep affection, attachment, compassion, care, and a desire for intimacy and emotional connection with another person. It can be either romantic love between partners, love for family and friends, or even a more universal love for humanity. Love often includes a genuine interest in the well-being and happiness of the loved one and may involve feelings of tenderness, devotion, and even sacrifice. Ultimately, love is a complex and unique experience that can vary from person to person.

Love for humanity, sometimes referred to as ‘philanthropic love, is a broad form of love that comprises feelings of compassion, empathy, and care for all human beings. It goes beyond individual connections and extends towards the well-being and welfare of humanity as a whole.

Love for humanity involves recognizing and valuing the inherent dignity, worth, and equality of every person, and acting on this belief by seeking social justice, equality, and opportunities for all. It inspires individuals to act in ways that promote fairness, kindness, and support for others, promoting human rights, fighting against discrimination, and addressing pressing societal issues such as poverty, hunger, or human rights abuses.

In essence, love for humanity urges individuals to embrace our common humanity and to foster a more humane and empathetic world where every life is appreciated, valued, and allowed to flourish.

There are several kinds of love. Romantic Love, Familial Love, Platonic Love, Self-Love, Unconditional Love, Passionate Love, Long-Distance Love, Obsessive Love, Infatuation, and Conditional Love.

ROMANTIC LOVE

Romantic love is a deep emotional and sexual attraction that involves intimacy, passion, and a strong connection between two individuals. It is typically characterized by a desire for physical closeness, emotional fulfilment, and commitment to the partner. Romantic love often includes actions and gestures to show affection, such as giving gifts, spending time together, or expressing love verbally. This type of love involves feelings of intense longing, excitement, and desire for the other person, and is often a central focus in romantic relationships. It can bring joy, fulfilment, and a sense of fulfilment to individuals involved in a romantic partnership.

I love what King Solomon said in Song 8:6-7 saying; “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised.”

I love reading this in another translation of the Bible that says; “Close your heart to every love but mine; hold no one in your arms but me. Love is as powerful as death; passion is as strong as death itself. It bursts into flame and burns like a raging fire. Water cannot put it out; no flood can drown it. But if any tried to buy love with their wealth, contempt is all they would get. GNT

Hang my locket around your neck, and wear my ring on your finger. Love is invincible facing danger and death. Passion laughs at the terrors of hell. The fire of love stops at nothing — it sweeps everything before it. Flood waters can’t drown love, torrents of rain can’t put it out. Love can’t be bought, love can’t be sold — it’s not to be found in the marketplace. TMB

FAMILIAL LOVE

Familial love refers to the love and affection that is shared between family members. This type of love is characterized by a strong emotional bond, support, and loyalty among relatives. Familial love can involve various relationships within a family, including parent-child, sibling, grandparent-grandchild, and extended family connections.

Familial love is often unconditional, where Individuals care for and support each other through thick and thin. It involves shared experiences, memories, and traditions that contribute to a sense of unity and belonging within the family unit. Familial love can provide a strong support system, a sense of security, and a feeling of being cherished and accepted just as one is. Overall, familial love plays a significant role in shaping individuals’ identities and psychological well-being.

King Solomon said in Proverbs 15:17; “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.” So many people are married to a spouse who hates them with passion. Some, it is their spouse’s family that hates them for no reason. Some are born into the family. For no reason their parents or extended family just hate them. Nothing about them excites their family. Either way, you’re not safe.

PLATONIC LOVE

Platonic love refers to love between individuals that is characterized by affection, emotional intimacy, and deep mutual admiration, without any romantic or sexual intentions. It is based on a strong bond of friendship, respect, trust, and platonic admiration for the other person. Platonic love can exist between friends, mentors, colleagues, or acquaintances where there is a strong emotional connection and care for each other without any desire for a romantic or sexual relationship. In platonic relationships, two individuals can support each other, share their feelings and thoughts, and provide emotional comfort without any ulterior motives or expectations of physical intimacy. Platonic love is valued for its purity and depth, as it focuses on genuine emotional connections and understanding. This is the kind of love Jesus had for Lazarus and his siblings according to John 11:5 where it was said that; “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

Unconditional love is a type of love that is given without any conditions or limitations. It is based on acceptance, understanding, and support for the other person, regardless of their actions or circumstances. Unconditional love is a type of love that is not dependent on any specific conditions or requirements. It is a deep and genuine love that is given freely, without expecting anything in return. Unconditional love is often considered the purest form of love, as it is not dependent on external factors or behaviours. It is the kind of love that is often associated with parental love for a child, but it can also be present in romantic relationships, friendships, and other types of connections. It involves acceptance, understanding, and support, regardless of any flaws, mistakes, or shortcomings. Cultivating unconditional love can lead to strong and lasting relationships, as well as a sense of security and belonging.

This type of love was mentioned in 1 John 4:7-11 where Apostle John said; “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love doe’ not know God, for God is love. In this, the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

SELF LOVE

Self-love is an important aspect of mental and emotional well-being. It involves accepting and appreciating yourself for who you are, recognizing your worth, and taking care of your own needs. Practising self-love can involve setting boundaries, engaging in self-care activities, and being kind and compassionate towards yourself. It’s an ongoing process that can lead to greater happiness and fulfilment in life. If you have any specific questions or need guidance on how to cultivate self-love, feel free to ask!

Please, note that you are a very important personality in creation and no Man or Woman is superior to you in nature. Every human being be it Man or Woman is created in the image and the likeness of God as it was said in Genesis 1:27; “So God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” The only difference between you and God is the fact that God is invisible, you are not. Your very look is the perfect look of God forget about how the other person is looking. Love yourself without apology.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

PASSIONATE LOVE

Passionate love is an intense and overwhelming feeling of attraction and affection towards someone. It often involves strong emotional and physical desire, as well as a deep connection and infatuation with the other person. Passionate love can be characterized by intense emotions, excitement, and a strong desire to be close to and connected with the object of one’s affection. This type of love is often associated with the early stages of a romantic relationship, where the feelings of passion and infatuation are particularly strong. While passionate love can be exhilarating and fulfilling, it is important to also cultivate other aspects of a healthy and lasting relationship, such as trust, communication, and commitment.

LONG DISTANCE LOVE

Long-distance love can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to strengthen your connection through communication, trust, and understanding. Regular communication through calls, video chats, and messages can help maintain the bond between you and your partner. Planning visits and finding creative ways to show your love and support from a distance can also help keep the relationship strong. It’s important to be patient, understanding, and supportive of each other’s needs while navigating the challenges of being apart.

OBSESSIVE LOVE

Obsessive love can be intense and overwhelming, often leading to controlling or possessive behaviour. It’s important to recognize the signs of obsessive love, such as constant monitoring of your partner, extreme jealousy, and an inability to give them space or independence. If you or someone you know is experiencing obsessive love, it’s crucial to seek help from a mental health professional. Therapy can provide support and guidance in understanding and healthily managing these intense emotions. It’s important to prioritize the well-being and autonomy of both individuals in the relationship.

INFATUATION

Infatuation is a strong but short-lived passion or admiration for someone. It often involves idealizing the person and feeling intense emotions, but it may not necessarily be based on a deep understanding of the individual. Infatuation can be exciting, but it’s important to recognize that it may not always lead to a lasting, meaningful relationship. It’s important to take the time to get to know the person on a deeper level and understand the difference between infatuation and genuine love or connection.

CONDITIONAL LOVE

Conditional love refers to love that is given only under certain conditions or circumstances. In a relationship, conditional love may be based on specific behaviours, actions, or expectations. It is important to strive for unconditional love, which is based on acceptance, understanding, and support regardless of external factors. If you have any specific questions or need advice on this topic, feel free to ask!

SEXUAL LOVE

Sexual love refers to the romantic and physical attraction between individuals. It is a natural and important aspect of many romantic relationships and is often characterized by intimacy, desire, and physical expression. Sexual love can play a significant role in deepening emotional connections and fostering closeness between partners. Individuals in a relationship need to communicate openly and honestly about their sexual needs and desires and to ensure that both partners feel respected and valued. In my opinion, Sexual Love is just Sex nothing more. Having a deeper commitment to each other outside of Sex can be impossible in some circumstances. So, if you’re involved in Sexual Love, keep your expectations limited. Asking for too much might be the end of your love life with the person; and in most cases, the partners don’t care about your well-being just what you both share.

I live you with Phil 4:8-9 which says; “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. NKJV

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious — the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. TMB